Tiltable measuring trap for bottles



Juiy 12, 1949.

B. S. PRESTON TILTABLE MEASURING TRAP FOR BOTTLES l UA Patented July 12, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT orncs Bertha S. Preston, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 24, 1945, Serial N0. 612,339

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to measuring devices in general and particularly to measuring devices for measuring a predetermined quantity of liquid, such as liquors, extracts, concentrates and the like.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an efficient, accurate measuring device which can be removably secured to the neck of a bottle whereby a predetermined quantity of liquid, such as liquor, extract and the like, may be definitely measured by tilting the bottle and then dispensed at a later time by operating a spring controlled plunger which controls the operation of an outlet from the end of the measuring device.

Another important object of the invention consists in the provision of an elongated hollow measuring device communicating with a chamber with which the measuring device has cooperation whereby a predetermined quantity of liquid may be received in the measuring device when the bottle is tilted and subsequently released from the measuring device upon pressing a spring controlled member.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification. l

The accompanying drawing illustrates a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail vertical sectional view of the improved measuring device mounted on the neck of a bottle containing liquid;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but shows the device in an inverted position whereby the measuring device will be completely filled with fluid; and

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing a predetermined quantity of liquid contained in the measuring device.

The particular construction herein shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention comprises a one piece unitary stopper I. The stopper 1 has a bulbous hollow upper portion or body 2 which terminates in a tubular measuring end or portion 3. The parts 2 and 3 are preferably made of clear glass but other materials may be used, such as plastic. While it is desirable that the device be clear so that the fluid contained therein may be readily seen, it may be made opaque.

The hollow measuring part or cup 3 communicates with the hollow bulbous top part 2 through a connecting passage of appreciably reduced cross section relative to the parts 2 and 3.

The device I is inserted in the neck 4 of a bottle 5, there being a flexible gasket or member 6 arranged between the inside of the neck of the bottle and the outside, of the neck I of the device l whereby the device I has a liquid-tight seal with the bottle 5. I

The neck 1 of the device l,which is complementally int onnected with the neck 4 of bottle it, extends u idly a predetermined distance, as indicated at 8, whereby the bottle when tilted will fill the part 3 with liquid to the point indicated at 9 when the device is in its upright position, Fig. 3. The lowerend of the part 3 extends well below the neck l and terminates in an annular extension l9 surrounding the outlet H.

The outlet ll is closed by a valve l2 hingedly connected at E3 to a holding collar M. The valve it includes an inwardly extending projection 15 to which an operating member l6 is connected as indicated at H. The upper end of the member it extends through an opening |B provided in the upper end of the body 2 at a point over the neck 4 and terminates in a button or like element H9. The button It! is normally urged in upward position by a coil spring 20.

If desired, a washer 2| may be inserted beneath the button and engageable about the opening I8 to normally close the opening, the operating member 16 having slidable movement through the washer-like element 2|.

The button I9 is adapted to be pressed against the urging action of the spring 20 whereupon the valve I2 is swung on its pivot I 3 so as to permit the flow of fluid in the part 3 to pass out the outlet I i into a glass or other receptacle 22, Fig. 3.

The device is adapted to be mounted on a bottle as shown in Fig. 1 and, when the bottle is tipped, fluid will pass from the bottle into the part 3. The bottle when returned to upright position, as shown in Fig. 3, will cause the excess fluid to return to the bottle by filling the measuring part or tube 3 to the point indicated at 9.

The fluid line, indicated at 9, is at the same level as the part B of the neck 1. Fig. 2 shows the bottle 5 completely inverted but it is not necessary to turn the bottle completely upside down, it being only necessary to tilt the bottle sufficiently so that the tubular end or part 3 will be completely filled with liquid.

In operation the device I is inserted into the the neck of the bottle as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The bottle is then tipped sufliciently so that the fluid in the bottle will pass through the neck 1 and completely fill the part 3. The bottle is then returned to its upright position whereby the part 3 will be filled with a predetermined amount of liquid. The button I9 is then pressed against the urging action of the spring 20 whereupon the valve I2 is in open position as shown in Fig. 3, permitting the predetermined measured amount of liquid in the part 3 to be dispensed in a glass or other receptacle 22. The button is then released whereupon the spring 20 will urge the button upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1 whereupon the-valve I2 will close the outlet openin II.

The device is of a unitary structure and is freely attachable to-and removable as such from;

the outlet of the container. It is. preferably made of glass and includes the body portion 2 which projects downwardly to provide a downwardly extending measuring part 3. The part 3 is provided with a normally closed valve which is operated by a spring pressed plunger element in-.

eluding a hand operating piece or button IS. The

measuring, device. is of a predetermined size andshape and holds a. predetermined. quantity of liquid .sothat eachtime the button I9 is pressed; aidefinite predeterminediquantity of liquid is dispensedthroughthe outlet opening I I.

In cases Where lialf'tlie quantity on a portion thereof .is desired. to be dispensed, and assuming that'the" devieis' made ofitr'ansparent material, such asglass, indications of graduations' 23 may be. provided so,,that tlie dispenser may dispense.

right is hereby reserved to'rnake all such changes as rfairly fall'witl'iin, the, scope" of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

A liquid measuring and dispensing device adapted to be detachably connected with the neck of a bottle or the like and comprising a one-piece stopper member, said stopper member being formed to provide an extended neck portion having its outer end shaped for complemental interconnection with the neck of a bottle or the like,

an enlarged bulbous portion extending in ap-' proximate alignment with-andfrom the inner end of said' neclt portion; an elongated passage portion of appreciably reduced cross section relative to said bulbous portion extending from one sideof the bulbous portion in the direction of the r neck portion and in acute angular relation there- REFERENCES CITED Theafollowing referencesare of record in the:

file of this patent:

UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Number Name Date 368,257v Tower -2 Aug. 16, 1887 547,862, Platt Oct. 15, 1895 639,881 Bailey Dec. 26, 1899 701,316 Edwards .June 3, 1902 1,671,542 Perks May 29, 1928.

1,"Z4=8;191 Roos Feb. 25, 1930 2,385,195 Clowr Sept. 18, 1945 FOREIGN: PATENTS Number v Country Date 229,549 Great Britain .Feb. 26, 1925. 

